RECORDINGS.

Marcia Ball Presumed Innocent (Alligator) The...

May 06, 2001|By Steve Knopper.

Marcia Ball

Presumed Innocent (Alligator)

The "New Orleans boogie-woogie" tag may have once applied to Texas pianist Marcia Ball, who learned her best tricks from Dr. John, Allen Toussaint and Professor Longhair. But in contrast to "Let Me Play with Your Poodle" (1997), in this CD Ball downplays the finger-walking and throws her deep voice into big, old-school soul ballads like "Let the Tears Roll Down" and "I Have the Right to Know." Ball's first release for Chicago's Alligator Records, "Presumed Innocent" doesn't completely ignore the fast stuff, playing up an accordion for full Cajun effect on "Thibodaux, Louisiana." Less predictable, and more impressive, is the torchy change-of-pace "She's So Innocent," which might have worked for Frank Sinatra or Sam Cooke if they hadn't been otherwise occupied.